—Facility to strengthen medicine distribution, digital healthcare delivery

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali, on Saturday, commissioned the new $230 million Regional Medical Distribution Centre at Onderneeming, Region Two, describing the facility as a major milestone in the Government’s drive to modernise Guyana’s healthcare system through a digitally integrated and decentralised pharmaceutical supply chain.
Commissioned under the theme, “Strengthening Regional Healthcare Through a Modern Digitally Integrated Supply Chain,” the facility is expected to significantly improve the storage, management and distribution of medicines across the region.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Ali said the centre forms part of the Government’s broader transformation of the national healthcare system by decentralising the storage and distribution of medicines while using digital technology to improve efficiency, accountability and patient care.
He explained that the facility will maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines tailored to Region Two’s needs, drastically reducing the time it takes for health facilities to receive supplies.
The President noted that, in the past, transporting medication to remote communities such as Akawini could take several days. With the new distribution model, medicines can now be dispatched in less than a day through improved logistics and digital tracking.

“This facility allows for traceability, accountability and timely access to medicines that will ultimately save lives,” President Ali said.
He added that the centre is part of a nationwide healthcare network that will also support telemedicine services and, in the future, integrate drone technology to rapidly transport medicines to remote communities in the Pomeroon and other hinterland areas.
“This is the type of investment we are making because we are committed to building a world-class healthcare system in Guyana,” the President said.
President Ali recalled that years ago, pharmacy shelves were frequently empty despite the existence of storage facilities.
He said the Government has since invested heavily to ensure a consistent supply of medicines, allowing doctors to prescribe confidently from an approved list of pharmaceuticals supplied by the Ministry of Health.
He also announced the introduction of a digital patient feedback mechanism that will allow persons to report on their experiences accessing medication, further strengthening transparency and accountability throughout the healthcare system.
According to the President, the new medical distribution centre demonstrates the Government’s commitment to bringing quality healthcare closer to communities through a modern, decentralised supply chain.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, said the facility has the capacity to store approximately 95 per cent of the medicines required by Region Two and will significantly improve the timely distribution of pharmaceuticals throughout the region.
He disclosed that plans are already in place to expand the facility with specialised cold storage to safely accommodate vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medications.
Dr Anthony explained that the centre operates using an intelligent digital inventory management system capable of tracking every medication, identifying its precise storage location and monitoring stock levels in real time. The system also records the movement of medicines from the warehouse to health facilities and ultimately to patients.
Reflecting on the transformation of healthcare in Region Two, the Health Minister said the region has advanced significantly since the 1990s and now has more than 80 doctors serving its population.
He highlighted the Government’s continued investment in medical education, noting that several healthcare training programmes have already been introduced in the region and that a dedicated training centre will soon be established.
Additionally, he announced that the Ministry of Health has partnered with the University of Guyana to introduce an 18-month pre-medical programme, creating greater opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in medicine.
Classrooms will also be established at the Lima Regional Hospital to support clinical teaching and practical training.
“There is no excuse. We want to have more doctors coming from this region to serve this region,” Dr Anthony said.

He added that the Government remains committed to institutionalising medical training while continuing to invest in world-class healthcare infrastructure across the country, pointing to the Lima Regional Hospital as an example of the quality of healthcare now available outside Georgetown.
Regional Chairman, Devin Mohan, said the commissioning of the Regional Medical Distribution Centre marks another important milestone in Region Two’s development.
He noted that the Government continues to make substantial investments in healthcare and public infrastructure, improving services and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Meanwhile, Director of the Materials Management Unit (MMU), Dr Sarah Hack, described the commissioning of the bond as a significant step in the modernisation of Guyana’s healthcare system.
“This centre comes at a particularly crucial time as we simultaneously deploy the CORTEX pharmaceutical supply chain management system across Guyana,” Dr Hack said.
She explained that the CORTEX digital platform represents a major advancement in the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain, noting that Region Two is the first administrative region to become fully operational on the system from coast to coast.
Supervisor of the Regional Medical Distribution Centre, Kumar Dass, commended the Government for the investment, noting that the region had long needed such a facility.
The $230 million centre is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring faster, more reliable access to medicines while strengthening the efficiency and resilience of healthcare delivery throughout Region Two.